I PUC Units and Measurement

Chapter 1: Units and Measurements

PART : A Very important questions and answers

State the principle of homogeneity of dimensions

The physical quantities of the same kind can be added or subtracted in a physical equation.
Principle of homogeneity of dimensions states that the dimensions of all terms on the two sides of an
equation must be same.

Write any two applications of dimensional analysis

1) To check the correctness of an equation.
2) To derive the correct relationship between various physical quantities.

Check the correctness of the equations using the method of dimensional analysis
𝟏
1) x = v0 t + a t2
𝟐
We write , X = [ L ] , v0 = [ L T-1 ] , T = [T] and a = [ L T-2 ]
1
[L] = [L T-1] [T] + [L T-2] [T2]
2
1
[ L] = [L] + [L]
2
Here LHS and RHS in the equation have the same dimensions, So the equation is dimensionally
correct.

2) v = v0 + at
We write , v = [L T-1] , v0 = [L T-1] , a = [ L T-2 ] and T = [T]
[ L T-1] = [ L T-1] + [ L T-2 ] [T]
[L T-1] = [ L T-1] + [L T-1]
Here , LHS and RHS in the equation have the same dimensions, So the equation is dimensionally
correct.

3) v2 = v02 + 2ax
We write , v = [L T-1] , v0 = [L T-1] , a = [ L T-2 ] and X = [ L]
[L T-1]2 = [L T-1] 2 + 2 [ L T-2 ] [L]
[ L2 T-2] = [ L2 T-2] + 2 [ L2 T-2]
Here LHS and RHS in the equation have the same dimensions, So the equation is dimensionally
correct.

Write any three limitations of dimensional analysis.

1) The value of constant of proportionality cannot be determined by the method of dimension.
2) It can check only whether a physical relation is dimensionally correct or not. It can not check
the actual correctness of an equation.
3) It can be used for power functions equations and cannot be used for relationships involving
exponential and trigonometric functions.

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I PUC Units and Measurement

The period of oscillation of a simple pendulum may be assumed to be depend on the mass
m of the bob, the length l of the simple pendulum and also acceleration due to gravity g
at a place. Arrive at the correct relationship between them from the method of
dimensions. OR
𝒍
Show that T = 2π√ , from the method of dimensional analysis.
𝒈

Consider a simple pendulum of length l. Let m be the mas of the bob and g be the acceleration
due to gravity. Let T be the period of oscillation of the pendulum. Then, we write
T ∝ mx ly gz
T = k mx ly gz …………. (1) Where k = constant
Writing the dimensional formula for the above physical quantities, we get
[T] = K [M ]x [L]y [L T-2 ]z
[M L T ] = K [Mx] [Ly+z ] [T-2z ]
0 0 1

Equating the powers of M , L and T terms on both sides, we get.

1
x = 0 , y + z = 0 and -2z = 1 or z = - 2
1 1
y- =0 or y=2
2
Now, equation (1) becomes T = k m0 l1/2 g-1/2
𝑙
T = K√
𝑔
From an experiment , we write k = 2π
𝑙
𝑇 = 2𝜋√
𝑔

Rules for significant figures

➢ All the non-zero digits are significant.
➢ All the zeros between two non-zero digits are significant, no matter where the decimal point is.
➢ If the number is less than 1, the zeros on the right of decimal point but to the left of the first
non-zero digit are not significant.
➢ The terminal zeros in a number without a decimal point are not significant.
➢ The terminal zeros in a number with a decimal point are significant.

Dimensions
An expression in which dimensions of a physical quantity is represented in terms of
fundamental quantities is called dimensional formula. An equation in which a physical quantity is
equated with its dimensional formula is called the dimensional equation.
Density: d = [M1L-3T0] is the dimensional equation.
[M1L-3T0] is the dimensional formula for density.

Note: 1) There are certain quantities which do not have dimensions. They are called dimensionless
quantities. Ex: Strain, angle, refractive index.
2) The constants which have dimensions are called dimensional constants. Examples: Planck’s
constant, gravitational constant etc.
3) The constants which do not have dimensions are called dimensionless constants. Example: 𝜋

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I PUC Units and Measurement

Physical quantity Expression Dimensional

formula
Area lxb [L2]
Velocity s/t [LT-1]
Acceleration v/t [LT-2]
Momentum mv [M LT-1]
Force ma [MLT-2]
Work Fs [M L2T-2]
Power w/t [M L2T-3]
Energy mgh [M L2T-2]

A quantity which can be measured and expressed by a number accompanied with a unit is
called a physical quantity. Unit of a physical quantity is a standard quantity in terms of which the
physical quantity can be measured.

Types of physical quantities

1) Fundamental quantities and 2) Derived quantities
Fundamental quantities are the quantities which can be defined independently.
Ex: Length, mass, time etc.
Derived quantities are the quantities which cannot be defined independently. These can be
expressed in terms of fundamental quantities.
Ex: Speed, acceleration, momentum, force etc.

Types of units:
1) Fundamentalunits and 2) Derived units
Fundamental units or base units Derived units
Units of fundamental quantities are Units of derived quantities are called
known as fundamental or base units. derived units.
Ex: metre , kilogram , second etc. Ex: ms-1 , ms-2 , newton etc.

In S.I. system there are seven fundamental units or base units and two supplementary units
Base quantity or SI Units
Fundamental quantity Name Symbol
Length metre m

Mass kilogram kg

Time second s

Electric current ampere A

Temperature kelvin K

Amount of substance mole mol

Luminous intensity candela Cd

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I PUC Units and Measurement

The two supplementary units are radian and steradian. Radian is the unit of plane angle. Steradian is
the unit of solid angle.

Astronomical unit: It is the average distance of the sun from the earth.
1AU = 1.496 x 1011 m
Light year: It is the distance travelled by light in 1 year with the speed of 3 x 108 m/s.
1ly = 9.46 x 1015 m
Parsec: It is the distance at which average radius of earth’s orbit subtends an angle of 1 arc second.
1 parsec= 3.08 x1016 m

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PART : B Additional questions and answers

System of units: A complete set of both base units and derived units is known as the system of
units. There are three systems of units. The fundamental units for length, mass and time in these
systems are as follows:
• In CGS system , they are centimetre , gram and second respectively.
• In FPS system , they are foot , pound and second respectively.
• In MKS system , they are metre , kilogram and second respectively.

The international system of units

The system of units which is at present internationally accepted for measurement is called
international system of units. It is abbreviated as S.I. system.

Units of lengths
1mm =10-3 m , 1micro meter =10-6 m , 1nm =10-3 m , 1pm =10-3 m
-15 ̇ -10
1 fermi , 1fm =10 m. , 1 angstrom 1𝐴 = 10 m

Significant figures
The reliable and certain digits plus the first uncertain digit in the measurement of a physical
quantity are known as significant digits or significant figures. For example, if the period of oscillation
of a simple pendulum is 1.62sec, the digits 1 and 6 reliable and certain, while the digit 2 is uncertain.
Thus, the measured value has three significant figures.

Rules for Arithmetic operations with significant figures

1) In multiplication or division, the final result should retain as many significant figures as are there
in the original number with the least significant figures.
2) In addition, or subtraction, the final result should retain as many decimal places as are there in
the number with the least decimal places.

Ex 1: In multiplication or division
Consider an object with mass m = 4.237g and volume V = 2.51 𝑐𝑚3
m 4.237 g
then its density d = V , d= , d = 1.688 g/cm3
2.51 cm3
Here m is measured to 4 significant figures and V is measured to 3 significant figures.

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I PUC Units and Measurement
But in this example, density should be reported to three significant figures because V has 3
significant figures less than that of m.
So d = 1.69 g/𝑐𝑚3

Ex 2: In addition, or subtraction
Consider, the sum of the numbers 436.32g , 227.2g and 0.301g. Its actual sum = 663.821g. But the
final result should be 663.8g

Rounding off the uncertain digits

1) If the insignificant digit to be dropped is more than 5, the presiding digit is raised by one.
For example: A number 2.746 is rounded off to three significant figure 2.75
2) If the insignificant digit to be dropped is less than 5, the presiding digit is left unchanged.
For example: A number 2.743 is rounded off to three significant figure 2.74
3) If the insignificant digit to be dropped is 5 and the presiding digit is even, the insignificant digit is
simply dropped and if it is odd, the preceding digit is raised by 1.
For example: A number 2.745 is rounded off to three significant figures becomes 2.74. On the other
hand, a number 2.735 is rounded off to three significant figures becomes 2.74

Dimensions of physical quantities

Derived units of physical quantities can be expressed in terms of some combination of
fundamental quantities.
The dimensions of a physical quantity are the powers to which the base quantities are raised to
represent that quantity.
𝑚 𝑚
For example: Density of a sphere , d = d=4 3
𝑉 𝜋𝑟
3
[M]
d= d = [ M1L-3T0]
[L]3
Hence density has 1 dimension in mass -3 dimension in length and 0 dimension in time.

Note : 1) If u1, u2 are units of a physical quantity and n1 , n2 are their numerical values in two different
systems of units then we write
n1u1= n2u2
2) Dimensional analysis can be used to convert unit of a physical quantity from one system of units
to another. Example: 1N = 105 dyne

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IMPORTANT QUESTIONS:
1) What is a physical quantity?
2) What is a unit?
3) Which are fundamental or basic units?
4) What are derived units?
5) Name the SI units of base quantities or fundamental quantities.
6) Name the SI unit of plane angle.
7) Name the SI unit of solid angle.
8) Write the number of significant figures in the following.
a) 0.0068 b) 2.65 x 103 c) 0.2309 d) 6.320 e) 0.006032
f) 0.00530 g) 5.0820 X 108 h) 4600 i) 46.00 j) 5.0820 X 108

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I PUC Units and Measurement
9) Name a physical quantity which has no units and no dimensions. (Refractive index)
10) Name a physical quantity which has units but no dimensions. (angle)
11) Can a physical quantity have dimension but no unit? (No)
12) Write the two applications of dimensional analysis.
13) Write any three limitations of dimensional analysis.
14) Write the dimensional formula for the following derived quantities
a) Momentum b) Pressure c) Work d) Frequency e) Energy f) Force g) Acceleration
h) Power i) Velocity j) Volume k) Density l) Area
15) State the principle of homogeneity of dimensions.
16) Check the correctness of the equations using the method of dimensional analysis
1
1) x = v0 t + a t2 2) v = v0 + at 3) v2 = v02 + 2ax
2
1
4) 𝐾 = 2 𝑚𝑣 2 5) U = mgh where K= kinetic energy and U = potential energy
17) The period of oscillation of a simple pendulum may be assumed to be depend on the mass
m of the bob, the length l of the simple pendulum and also acceleration due to gravity g at
a place. Arrive at the correct relationship between them from the method of dimensions. OR
l
Show that T = 2π , from the method of dimensions.
g

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS:
1) Mention the system of units.
2) Name any two derived SI units with the name of scientist. ( newton , joule )
3) What is a dimensional formula?
4) What is a dimensional equation?
5) What are significant figures?
6) Mention two pairs of physical quantities which have the same dimensions. (h,J)
7) Round off the following numbers in to three significant figures.
a) 4.675 b) 4.685 c) 4.678 d) 4.673
8) Define the terms a) Astronomical unit b) Light year and 3) Parsec

𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑟𝑐 𝑠
Note: 1) Plane angle = 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠
𝜃=𝑟
𝑑𝐴
2) 𝑑𝜃 = 𝑟2

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